DESCANT


Meaning of DESCANT in English

I. ˈdes-ˌkant noun

also dis·cant ˈdis-

Etymology: Middle English dyscant, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French descaunt, from Medieval Latin discantus, from Latin dis- + cantus song — more at chant

Date: 14th century

1.

a. : a melody or counterpoint sung above the plainsong of the tenor

b. : the art of composing or improvising contrapuntal part music ; also : the music so composed or improvised

c. : soprano , treble

d. : a superimposed counterpoint to a simple melody sung typically by some or all of the sopranos

2. : discourse or comment on a theme

II. ˈdes-ˌkant, des-ˈ, dis-ˈ intransitive verb

Date: 15th century

1. : to sing or play a descant ; broadly : sing

2. : comment , discourse

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.